Horseshoe game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A horseshoe game apparatus comprises a backboard, a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard and a bin located below the horizontal stake. In one or more embodiments, at least one horseshoe holder extend from the backboard and hold one or more horseshoes. The backboard comprises a flexible or rigid backer, with each providing different game play dynamics. Various horseshoe games may be played with the horseshoe game apparatus. The horizontal stake is tapered in one or more embodiments to cause horseshoes to slide towards a tapered end of the horizontal stake.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/071,181, filed Sep. 16, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to games of skill and in particular to a horseshoe game apparatus for a horseshoe game playable at home, at bars, or other locales.

2. Related Art

Various games of skill exist for amusement, physical fitness and skill training. Some examples of such games include basketball, golf, table tennis, table soccer, shuffleboard, and darts. Another such game is horseshoes, which consists of a stake vertically inserted into the ground along with one or more horseshoes that players toss at the stake to score.

From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A horseshoe game apparatus is disclosed herein. One or more horseshoe games may be played with the horseshoe game apparatus in bars, at home or at other locales. Various embodiments of the horseshoe game apparatus are disclosed herein. For instance, in one exemplary embodiment a horseshoe game apparatus comprises a backboard, a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard, and a bin secured below the horizontal stake. The horizontal stake comprises a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being adjacent the backboard.

The horizontal stake is dimensioned to allow one or more horseshoes to straddle the horizontal stake. The horizontal stake may be tapered with its narrower end being at the distal end. A top edge of the horizontal stake may have a friction reducing surface. The horseshoe game apparatus may also include one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard, a stop at the distal end of the horizontal stake or both. The backboard may have a flexible backer. A transparent cover covering the backboard may also be provided.

In another exemplary embodiment, a horseshoe game apparatus comprises a backboard, a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard, a bin secured below the horizontal stake, and one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard. The horizontal stake comprises a proximal end and a distal end, with the horizontal stake being tapered with its narrower end at the distal end. A stop is at the distal end of the horizontal stake, with the proximal end of the horizontal stake is adjacent the backboard.

The horizontal stake is dimensioned to allow one or more horseshoes to straddle the horizontal stake. Similar to above, the horizontal stake may be dimensioned such that it is greater in height than the length of the horseshoes. In addition, a top edge of the horizontal stake may have a friction reducing surface.

The backboard may have a flexible backer. In addition, a transparent cover may be provided to cover the backboard. It is noted that the backboard may comprise a backer attached to a frame. In addition, the bin may be at least partially suspended by one or more cables extending between the bin and the backboard.

Various methods relating to the horseshoe game apparatus and games therefore are also disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment for instance, a method for playing a horseshoe game with a horseshoe game apparatus is disclosed, with such method comprising tossing one or more horseshoes at the horseshoe game apparatus. The horseshoe game apparatus of this method comprises a backboard, a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard, and a bin beneath the horizontal stake. The method includes scoring the horseshoes based on whether they land in the bin or straddling the horizontal stake.

At least one of the horseshoes may be retrieved from a tapered end of the horizontal stake. In addition, at least one of the horseshoes may be retrieved from the bin. The horseshoes may be removed from one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard. Similar to above, the horizontal stake may be dimensioned such that it is greater in height than the length of the horseshoes. Also, the backboard may have a flexible backer.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary horseshoe game apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary horseshoe game apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary horseshoe game apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary horseshoe game apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

The horseshoe game apparatus herein provides a game of skill that can be played at home, bars or various other locales for amusement, training, or exercise. Referring to the exploded front perspective view of FIG. 1, in one or more embodiments, the horseshoe game apparatus 104 may comprise one or more frames 108, backers 112, horizontal stakes 116 and bins 120.

In general, a frame 108 is a structure that supports the other components of the horseshoe game apparatus 104. A frame 108 will typically be rigid, and may be constructed in various ways. As shown in FIG. 1 for example, the frame 108 comprises a plurality of rigid members that form a rectangular frame. One or more cross members 152 may be used to reinforce the frame 104 or support various components of the horseshoe game apparatus 104, including other cross members 156.

In one or more embodiments, a cross member 156 may have one or more openings 160 that accept a fastener to support a component of the horseshoe game apparatus 104. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a cross member 156 may have keyhole openings 160 that allow one or more fasteners to slide into a locked or secured position. In this case, a keyhole opening 160 accepts a peg 174 to secure the horseshoe game apparatus's horizontal stake 116 in position when the horseshoe game apparatus 104 is assembled. As will be described further below, during assembly, a peg 174 may be received in an enlarged portion of a keyhole opening 160 and then slide to a narrower portion of the keyhole opening to lock the peg in place.

Members and cross members 152, 156 (i.e., the frame 108) may be formed from materials that accept one or more fasteners, such as nails, screws and the like. Alternatively, as described above, one or more openings may be formed in a frame 108 to accept one or more fasteners. Some exemplary materials include wood, plastic, and metal. As can be seen from FIG. 1, one or more eyelets 178, mounts 148 or both may be screwed into a frame 108 to be secured to the frame. It is noted that the components may also be surface mounted to a frame 108 and secured by welds or adhesives.

In addition to a horizontal stake 116, one or more horseshoe supports 128 may be secured to a frame 108. As can be seen, a tip 144 of a horseshoe support 128 may conform to an opening 132 in the frame 108 to secure the horseshoe support to the frame. A horseshoe support 128 may comprise various structures that hold one or more horseshoes. For example, the horseshoe supports 128 in FIG. 1 comprise an elongated member having a stop 140 at its distal end opposite the tip 144 at its proximal end. A stop 140 may be enlarged or extend beyond the periphery of the elongated member such as shown in FIG. 1.

A backer 112 may be secured to a frame 108 as well. In one or more embodiments, a backer 112 may be planar and conform peripherally to the size and shape of its frame 108, such as shown in FIG. 1. In this manner, a backer 112 covers a front side of the frame 108. It is contemplated that a backer 112 may be rigid or flexible in the various embodiments of the horseshoe game apparatus 104. For example, a backer 112 may be a wooden, plastic, metal or other rigid material secured to the frame 108. Alternatively, a backer 112 may be fabric, mesh, vinyl, leather or other flexible material secured to the frame 108.

A backer 112 may be secured to a frame 108 in various ways. As shown in FIG. 1 for instance, a backer 112 may comprise one or more openings 164 to allow one or more fasteners to secure the backer 112 to a frame 108. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the openings 164 are positioned to allow one or more horseshoe supports 128 and one or more mounts 148 to pass through the openings 164 to engage and secure the backer 112 to its frame 108. In this arrangement a horseshoe support 128, mount 148 or both can be considered a fastener that secures the backer 112 to its frame 108.

In addition, a backer may include an opening 168 to permit a peg 174 or other fastener of a horizontal stake 116 to pass therethrough to engage a frame 108. As can be seen in FIG. 1 for example, the opening 168 allows pegs 174 of the horizontal stake 116 to extend through the backer 112 and engage the keyhole openings 160 of the frame 112. It is noted that this too may secure a backer 112 to a frame 108.

It is contemplated that a backer 112 may be removable in one or more embodiments. This is advantageous in that a backer 112 can be replaced with another or removed for repair, and to permit a rigid backer to be swapped for a flexible backer 112 or vice versa. One or more removable fasteners, such as threaded fasteners may be used to accomplish the removability of a backer. It is noted that a backer 112 may be secured to a frame 108 in various other ways, including by one or more hooks, clamps, keyhole openings and corresponding mating structures.

In one or more embodiments, a bin 120 may also be provided. Typically, a bin 120 will be secured to a frame 108 such that it is positioned below a horizontal stake 116 of the horseshoe game apparatus 104. A bin 120 may be mounted to a frame 108 via one or more mounts 148, hung or suspended from the frame via one or more struts or cables 186 or various combinations thereof. One or more mounts such as one or more eyelets 198 may be attached to a bin 120 to secure a strut or cable 186 thereto.

A bin 120 may be a rigid or flexible container having an open top for receiving one or more horseshoes. A rigid bin 120 may be a box formed from a rigid material, such as wood, plastic or metal. A flexible bin 120 may be formed from fabric, mesh, vinyl, leather or other flexible material. It is noted that a flexible bin 120 may comprise a rigid frame 190 in one or more embodiments, to allow the flexible portion of the bin 120 to maintain its shape. In FIG. 1 for example, the lip of the bin 120 comprises a rigid frame 190 that extends around the periphery of the bin 120 and that provides a structure to which the remainder of the bin is attached.

Typically, the horseshoe game apparatus 104 will be secured to a wall or other structure when in use. Such attachment may be accomplished in various ways. For example, a frame 108 may be directly fastened to a wall with one or more screws or other fasteners. Alternatively, a frame 108 may be hung on a wall with one or more hangers, such as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, a wire 136 is secured at both ends to the frame 108, such as via an eyelet 178 or other mount. The frame 108 and therefore the entire horseshoe game apparatus 104 may be hung via the wire 136.

FIG. 2 provides a front perspective view of an exemplary horseshoe game apparatus 104 in an assembled state. As can be seen, when assembled, a backer 112 is covers a frame 108 with one or more horseshoe holders 128 and at least one horizontal stake 116 extending outward from the backer and frame. The assembled backer 112 and frame 108 form a backboard 208 of the horseshoe game apparatus 104.

From FIG. 2 it can be seen that one or more horseshoe holders 128 and mounts 148 may pass through a backer 112 to engage and be secured to a frame 108 behind the backer. As described above, in this manner, one or more horseshoe holders 128 and mounts 148 may be used as fasteners to secure a backer 112 to a frame 108. It is contemplated that one or more additional fasteners, such as screws, pins or pegs may also or alternatively be used to secure a backer 112 to a frame 108. In addition or alternatively, it is contemplated that one or more welds or adhesives may secure a backer 112 to a frame 108.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, a bin 120 may be secured by one or more mounts 148 and one or more cables 186, with the mounts 148 supporting a back end of the bin while the cables support a front end of the bin. As noted above, one or more mounts 148 alone may be sufficient to secure a bin 120 in some embodiments.

One or more horseshoes 204 may be held by one or more horseshoe supports 128, such as shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen, a horseshoe 204 may straddle a horseshoe support 128 to be held in position, such as for storage purposes. In one or more embodiments, multiple horseshoe supports 128 may be provided to hold horseshoes 204 for multiple individual players. In FIG. 2 for example, two horseshoe supports 128 are provided to hold horseshoes 204 for a left player and a right player.

Referring to FIG. 3, which provides a side view of an exemplary horseshoe game apparatus 104, it can be seen that a horizontal stake 116 may have a tapered shape. In one or more embodiments, this means that at least a top edge 170 of a horizontal stake 116 may be angled downward as it extends toward an end plate or stop 182 at the distal end of the horizontal stake.

During game play, players attempt to toss one or more horseshoes 204 such that the land straddling the horizontal stake 116, such as the horseshoe 204 shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. In one or more embodiments, horseshoes 204 that land in this manner may provide points or a score for a player. A top edge 170 of a horizontal stake 116 may be formed from or coated with friction reducing material/compounds, or have a smooth or other friction reducing surface. This combined with the tapered shape of the horizontal stake 116 causes horseshoes 204 that land straddling the horizontal stake to slide forward, where contact with the stop 182 holds them in position at a front end of the horseshoe game apparatus 104 for convenient removal, reuse or both.

As can be seen, a horizontal stake 116 may be arranged to prevent a horseshoe 204 of such disposition from falling off the horizontal stake. This may be accomplished by setting the height (i.e., the vertical dimension) of a horizontal stake 116 so as to prevent a horseshoe 204 that lands straddling the horizontal stake from rotating to an extent where the horseshoe would fall off the horizontal stake. In one or more embodiments, a horizontal stake 116 have a height greater than the length of a horseshoe 204 to prevent such horseshoe from rotating off the horizontal stake.

In some embodiments, the height of a horizontal stake 116 may be greater than the length of a horseshoe 204 from its proximal end (at the backer 112) to its distal end (at the end plate 170). This ensures that the horseshoe 204 will not rotate off the horizontal stake 116. Alternatively, in other embodiments, only a portion of the horizontal stake 116 may be greater in height that the length of a horseshoe 204. For example, a portion at the proximal end of a horizontal stake 116 may be greater in height than a horseshoe 204 while the horizontal stake's taper causes it to be less than this distance as the horizontal stake extends towards its distal end. This creates a structure where horseshoes 204 landing at the proximal end are prevented from falling of but those landing elsewhere are not.

For game play purposes this is advantageous because horseshoes 204 that land straddling a horizontal stake 116 that fall off may be scored differently (or not at all) than those that land and remain on the horizontal stake. In addition, it is contemplated that in some circumstances a horseshoe 204 that lands straddling the horizontal stake 116 may not stabilize its rotational motion before sliding toward the shorter distal portion of the horizontal stake (because of the horizontal stake's taper) and fall off, whereas better tossed horseshoe would stabilize its rotational motion and remain on the horizontal stake even after it slides to and reaches the shorter distal portion.

During game play, horseshoes 204 may hit the backer 112 or various other elements of the horseshoe game apparatus 104. Those that fail to land on and stay on the horizontal stake 116 are captured by the bin 120 to prevent them from hitting the floor and for convenient removal, reuse or both. Referring to FIG. 2, horseshoes 204 captured by a bin 120 will typically be held at a bottom 194 of a bin 120 for subsequent removal, reuse or both.

It is noted that game play dynamics will be changed depending on whether a rigid or flexible backer 112 is present. To illustrate, a rigid backer 112 will generate louder impact sounds and more harshly change the motion of a horseshoe 204 that hits the backer. This may be desirable for certain environments. A flexible backer 112 may absorb more of the motion of a horseshoe 204 that hits such backer and generate less sound at the same time.

FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of the horseshoe game apparatus 104. As can be seen, a backer 112 may comprise a transparent cover 404 that covers a media bearing surface 408. A media bearing surface 408 may have graphics, text, livery, advertisements or other media printed or otherwise applied thereto. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the exemplary media bearing surface 408 has “KLUUNK” printed thereon, representing a brandname or trademark for the horseshoe game, its apparatus or other product or service.

A transparent cover 404 may be formed from transparent material, such as various transparent plastics. A transparent cover 404 protects a media bearing surface 408, while allowing it to be seen. It is contemplated that a media bearing surface 408 may be rigid or flexible, such as disclosed above with regard to rigid or flexible backers 112.

In addition, a transparent cover 404 may comprise one or more openings 412 to receive fasteners to secure it to a frame 108. One or more openings 168 may also be in a transparent cover 404 to receive one or more pegs 168 or other fasteners that secure a horizontal stake 116. These openings typically permit a fastener to pass through the transparent cover 404 to engage and be secured to a frame 108 of the horseshoe game apparatus 104, such as disclosed above. A transparent cover 404 may be removable and replaceable as well.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A horseshoe game apparatus comprising: a backboard; a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard, the horizontal stake comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is adjacent the backboard; and a bin secured below the horizontal stake; wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned to allow one or more horseshoes to straddle the horizontal stake.
 2. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard.
 3. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a stop at the distal end of the horizontal stake.
 4. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal stake is tapered with its narrower end being at the distal end.
 5. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 1, wherein a top edge of the horizontal stake comprises a friction reducing surface.
 6. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backboard comprises a flexible backer.
 7. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a transparent cover covering the backboard.
 8. A horseshoe game apparatus comprising: a backboard; a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard, the horizontal stake comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the horizontal stake is tapered with its narrower end at the distal end; a stop at the distal end of the horizontal stake, wherein the proximal end of the horizontal stake is adjacent the backboard; a bin secured below the horizontal stake; and one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard; wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned to allow one or more horseshoes to straddle the horizontal stake.
 9. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 8, wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned such that it is greater in height than the length of the one or more horseshoes.
 10. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 8, wherein a top edge of the horizontal stake comprises a friction reducing surface.
 11. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 8, wherein the backboard comprises a flexible backer.
 12. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a transparent cover covering the backboard.
 13. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 8, wherein the backboard comprises a backer attached to a frame.
 14. The horseshoe game apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bin is at least partially suspended by one or more cables extending between the bin and the backboard.
 15. A method for playing a horseshoe game with a horseshoe game apparatus comprising: tossing one or more horseshoes at the horseshoe game apparatus, the horseshoe game apparatus comprising: a backboard; a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard; and a bin beneath the horizontal stake; scoring the one or more horseshoes based on whether they land in the bin or straddling the horizontal stake;
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising retrieving at least one of the one or more horseshoes from a tapered end of the horizontal stake.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising retrieving at least one of the one or more horseshoes from the bin.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising removing the one or more horseshoes from one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned such that it is greater in height than the length of the one or more horseshoes.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the backboard comprises a flexible backer. 